Kings vs. Thunder gameday: De’Aaron Fox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ready for a showdown
Two of the NBA’s top young point guards will go head-to-head for the first time this season when the Kings open a six-game homestand against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday at Golden 1 Center.
De’Aaron Fox was out with a right ankle sprain when the Kings beat the Thunder 105-98 in an in-season tournament game Nov. 10 in Sacramento. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a big game with 33 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocked shots, but it wasn’t enough to carry his team to victory.
Fox and Gilgeous-Alexander are both 25-year-old franchise players who became first-time All-Stars and All-NBA selections last season. Gilgeous-Alexander is fifth in the NBA in scoring this season. Fox is sixth.
Fox, who came out of Kentucky as the No. 5 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, is averaging 29.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals. Gilgeous-Alexander, who came out of Kentucky as the 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft, is averaging 30.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.8 steals.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings (13-9) are coming off a disappointing 119-99 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Coach Mike Brown lamented the Kings’ lack of physicality and fight after watching his team fall behind by as many as 33 points.
Domantas Sabonis recorded his 18th double-double of the season, but all five Sacramento starters were benched in the fourth quarter with the game already out of reach. Fox was held to 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Kevin Huerter had three points on 1-of-8 shooting. Harrison Barnes finished with two points, one rebound and one assist in 19 minutes.
The Kings could be without the services of forward Trey Lyles, who is listed as questionable due to illness. Backup center Alex Len is still out with a right ankle sprain.
The Kings are sixth in the Western Conference, four games behind the conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves. The Kings are 7-3 at home this season and 6-6 on the road.
Scouting Oklahoma City
The Thunder (15-7) has won four of its last five games with wins over the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz. Oklahoma City is second in the West, two games behind Minnesota.
The Thunder is led by Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey. Williams is averaging 17.8 points per game. Holmgren averages 17.0 points and 7.8 rebounds. Giddey, who has continued to play while under investigation for an alleged inappropriate relationship with an underage girl, is averaging 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
Thunder at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -1.5
Over/under: 242.5
Injury report
Thunder: OUT — Keyontae Johnson (G League).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Trey Lyles (illness). OUT — Alex Len (ankle).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 14 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Dec. 16 vs. Utah Jazz
Dec. 18 vs. Washington Wizards
Dec. 20 vs. Boston Celtics
Dec. 22 vs. Phoenix Suns
